Power-transmission mechanism.



No. 898,175. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1908. W. B. BELT.

POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

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W. B. BELT. POWER TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

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No. 898,175. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1908. W. B. BELT. POWER TRANSMISSIONMECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8,1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

WALLACE E. BELT, OF DODGE CENTER, MINNESOTA.

POWER-TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALLACE E. BELT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Dodge Center, in the county of Dodge and State of Minnesota,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Power-TransmissionMechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of power transmission mechanism whichis adapted for use on automobiles and other vehicles.

The primary object of my invention is to provide simple and effectivemechanism for difierentiating motion between driving and driven elementswhich is positive in action and equally effective when the direction ofthe motion between said elements is reversed.

Among further objects are simplicity of construction, effectiveness inuse and a device of its kind which is not liable to get out of orderwhen subjected to severe strains;

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, myinvention is illustrated as applied to a motor'vehicle in which by itsuse a single part axle or shaft may be employed. It is obvious that thisinvention may be applied to other uses than to self-propelled vehiclesand two-part axles, and I do not wish to be understood as confiningmyself to this use alone by the following description.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of myinvention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line XX of Fig. 1Fig. 3 is a transverse section of Fig. 1 taken on the line YY; Fig. 4 isa sectional view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 showing aconstruction of my invention Without the use of springs between thegripping elements; Fig. 5 is a detail diagrammatic plan view showing myinvention applied to the running gear of an automobile, and Fig. 6 is adetail side view of a portion of the running gear illustrated in Fig. 5.

A represents the axle or drive shaft of a self-propelled vehicle towhich the power is supplied from the motor to the wheels, said shaftbeing mounted on roller bearings such as illustrated by the parts Brunning in a casing 3. At the ends of said casing are thrustantifriction ball bearings O and D. Upon the power shaft is loosely journaled at each end a Wheel E and carried by the hub F of said wheel ismy improved powertransmitting mechanism which is clearly illustrated indetail by the drawings. To

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 8, 1907.

Patented Sept. 8, 1908.

Serial No. 382,752.

the inner end of the hub or other part to be driven is fastened by meansof bolts 4 a drum 5 which is provided with an inner cylindrical frictionsurface 6 011 its flange and which is concentric with the drive shaft.On the shaft is fastened by the use of a key 7 (see Fig. 2) or othermeans a pinion 8 having teeth 9 in mesh with corresponding teeth 10formed on the inner ends of levers 1 1. Each of the levers (four innumber being shown, although any suitable number may be provided) ismounted to swing on a pivot 12 which is carried by a cage. This cageconsists of a pair-of parallel rings 14 and 15 which are spaced apartand held in position by thrust bearings D and G to avoid impingementagainst pinion 8, and loosely mounted on the shaft. Between these ringsare the pinion 8 and levers 11, the latter being carried by means ofpivots 12 in the form of bolts passing through said rings, one end ofeach bolt being threaded and riveted or otherwise fastened at 16 overthe ring 14 and the other end passing through the ring 15 and providedwith a nut 17 and split key 18 by which it is secured in place.

Each of the levers 11 is provided with an eccentric surface 19 workingin a gripping element in the form of a shoe 20. The shoe referred to isevenly balanced on the lever to which it is connected so that when saidlever is tilted in either direction it is adapted to move said shoe withits frictional surface 21 into frictional engagement with the innersurface 6 of the drum. The rings of the cage serve to hold the shoesfrom longitudinal displacement on the levers and the friction surface ofeach shoe is of comparatively large area thus producing a quick andeffective contact with the drum when in use. When the shaft is at astandstill the levers are in inactive position as illustrated in Fig. 2;that is, the eccentric surfaces 19 are in neutral position and the shoeswhich they carry are out of frictional contact with the rim of the drum.When the shaft is turned in either direction, then a simultaneousswinging motion is given to the levers 11 so that the friction surfacesof the shoes on the several levers are moved into frictional contactwith the inner surface of the drum to carry the latter along and thusdrive the wheel from the shaft and in the same direction as the latter.hen the motion of the axle or shaft is reversed then a reverse swingingmotion is given to the levers to cause the friction surfaces of theshoes to move into frictional engagement with the inner surface of therim of the drum; From the foregoing it will be seen that the power ofthe shaft A is almost instantly transmitted to the wheelto be driven andin the same direction that the shaft is rotated. A broad surface contactbetween the shoes and the drum is produced which causes the parts tofirmly engage each other. When the shoes and levers are in neutralposition, the springs 22 hold the shoes out of engagement with the drum.These springs are in the form of tension heliXes which are connected byeyes-23 or other means, between the ends of the shoes as illustrated inFig. 2. These springs howeverare not necessary for the successfuloperation of my invention, Fig. 4 illustrating a construction withoutthem. When springs are not used, each shoe is journaled upon theeccentric surface of a lever 11 and provided with extensions 24 whichhold the shoe on the lever so as to withdraw it out of contact with thedrum when said parts are moved into neutral position.

When the power transmission as described is employed on automobiles andas long as the vehicle moves in a straight line either forward orbackward both drive wheels turn together, but in case the vehicletravels around a curve, then the outer wheel releases from the shoes sothat the vehicle readily and easily moves forward. As soon as thevehicle .again shifts to a straight course the released shoes are movedimmediately back into a looking or active position. There are conditionsunder which the levers are inactive towit: when for any reason both rearcarriage wheels are revolving faster than the shaft, such as when goingdown hill with reduced power and on the level when suddenly withdrawingthe power.

The hub F of the wheel to be driven is provided with a roller bearing 25and between said bearing and the cage is a thrust bearing G and a dripplate 26, the latter abutting against a shoulder 27 on the drive shaft.

The casing 3 is held against longitudinal movement upon the shaft Abetween the thrust ball bearings C and D, the former being held in placeby a collar 28 which is socured on the shaft by means of the set bolt29. A packing 30 inserted between this collar and bearing C preventsdust from entering said'bearing. The perimeter of the drum 5 may beprovided with a band brake 3]. of ordinary construction for the purposeof applying braking power to the whee s.

In-connection with the clutch mechanism above described is providedretarding mechanism H which consists of the following parts: Securedupon the outer end of the drum by means of bolts is a suitable faceplate 36 having a centrally-disposed opening 37 into which the casing 3is admitted freely. A friction ring 38 is carried upon pins 39 slidinglongitudinally in the face plate and connected with the inner wear plate40 of the antifriction ball bearing 1. A coil s ring 41 draws thefriction ring back against t e shoulder 42 upon the face plate 36 andout of contact with the ring 15 of the cage. This friction ring ispressed into contact with the plate 15 of the cage by means of a splitcollar J, the inner section 43 of which impinges against the bearing Iand the outer section 44 against the collar 45 which is fastened uponthe sleeve 3 by means of a set bolt 52. The intervening faces of saidsplit collar are beveled at 47 so that when the outer section is turnedit presses upon the bearing I and pushes the friction ring against theplate 15 of the cage. This does not change the relations of the drum,cage, shoes, and levers, nor does it have a direct retarding effectuntil the power is withdrawn to an extent that will cause the momentumto drive the wheels and drum at tached thereto at a greater speed thanthe drive shaft A, in which event the cage is car ried with the drum;the levers reversed; the shoes momentarily disengaged and imme- -diatelyrengaged; the parts then being in a position to lock the drum to thedrive shaft and drive said shaft by the power of momentum (thusproducing a retarding effect). The inner section of the split collar isprovided with longitudinal slots 48 in which splines 49 on the outersurface of the casing 3 project, allowing said inner section to slidelongitudinally and prevent it from turning. A band 50 carried by theouter section prevents dust from entering the joint between the sectionsof the s lit collar. The outer section 44 of the split co larJ turnsupon the casing 3 against a stop ring 45. The stop ring has an arm 51and the outer section 44 of the split collar, an arm 55. To the arm 55is pivotally secured a link 56 and between one end of said link and theend of the arm 51 is a draw spring 54 which returns the outer section ofthe split collar to normal position. The other end of said link has anoperating cable 57 attached to it said cable being connected with thefoot transmission brake lever 59.

The primary object of the retarding mechanism described is to preventcoasting when braking the vehicle (by means of the transmission brake).In Fig. 5, 60 represents the ordinary transmission brake mounted uponthe frame 61 of an automobile and provided with an ordinary operatingrod 62, the end of which works freely in a slot 63. The transmissionmechanism is also provided with a reach rod 64 containing an equalizingdraw spring 65 and connected with the foot lever 59. The other end ofthe rod 64 is connected with a crank 68 which is carried by the shaft 67journaled in said frame. The ends of the shaft 67 carry cranks 66 whichare 0011- nected with each link 56 of my improved transmission mechanismby the cables 57.

When the lever 59 is pressed forward to apply the transmission brake itfirst operates the retarding mechanism as soon as power is reduced andcauses the clutch levers to move the shoes into engagement with the drum(in reversed position), thus communicating mo tion from the wheelsthrough the aide to.

the ordinary transmission mechanism. The continued forward movement ofthe foot lever applies the transmission brake in the ordinary manner.The equalizing draw springs 54 and 65 return the foot lever andretarding mechanism to normal position when said lever is released.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principleof operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I nowconsider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to haveit understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that theinvention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses otherthan those above set forth, within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protectby Letters.

Patent, is

1. In combination with the hub of a wheel to be driven, provided with afriction surface, a drive shaft, a system of levers, each provided withan eccentric surface, a friction shoe carried upon said eccentricsurface, and means carried by said shaft for turning said levers andcausing said shoes to impinge against said friction surface and transmitmotion from said shaft and for holding said levers inoperative when thedriven element rotates at a greater speed than the driving element.

2. A power transmission mechanism comprising in combination with the hubof a wheel to be driven, a friction drum on said hub, a drive shaft, asuitable cage, a pinion on said shaft, a plurality of levers fulcrumedon said cage and in mesh with said pinion,

each of said levers provided with an eccentric surface, a shoe on eachof said eccentric surfaces, said eccentric surfaces adapted to impingesaid shoes against the friction surface of said drum when said shaftrevolves in either direction, and means for retarding the movement ofsaid cage.

3. A power transmission mechanism comprising in combination with the hubof a wheel to be driven, a friction drum on said hub, a drive shaft onwhich said hub is freely journaled, a suitable cage, a pinion on saidshaft, a plurality of eccentrics journaled upon said cage and in meshwith said pinion, a shoe carried upon each eccentric, means forautomatically holding said shoes inoperativc when the driven elementrotates faster than the driving element, a thrust bearing between saidcage and hub, and means for retarding the movement of said cage.

4. A power transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a pinionsecured on said shaft, a suitable cage, a plurality of levers fulcrumedon said cage and in mesh with said pinion, and provided with eccentricsurfaces, a friction shoe carried by the eccentric sur faces of saidlevers, a drum connected with the part to be driven and adapted to beengaged in the inner surface of its rim by said shoes, a thrust bearingfor said cage, and means for retarding the movement of said cage.

5. A power transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a pinionsecured on said shaft, a cage, a plurality of levers fulcrumed on saidcage and in mesh with said pinion, and provided with double eccentricsurfaces, a friction element carried by each of said ec centricsurfaces, a drum connected with the part to be driven adapted to beengaged in the inner surface of its rim by the said frictional elements,and a thrust bearing for said cage. p

6. A power transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a pinionsecured on said shaft, a cage, a plurality of levers fulcrumed onsaidcage and in mesh with said pinion, a drum connected with the part tobe driven, a frictional element between each of said levers and saiddrum, and means for tending to prevent said cage from rotating with theshaft, for the purposes specified.

7. A power transmission mechanism comprising a pinion on the drivingpart, a drum connected with the part to be driven, a plurality of leversin mesh with said pinion and provided each with a double eccentricsurface, and a shoe carried upon each eccentric surface for engagementwith said drum in either direction.

8. A power transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a pinionsecured on said shaft, a cage, a plurality of levers fulcrumed on saidcage in mesh with said pinion, each being provided with an eccentricsurface, a friction shoe carried upon each of said eccentric surfaces,and a drum connected with the part to be driven and adapted to befrictionally engaged at the inner surface of its rim by said shoes ineither direction.

9. A power transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a membersecured thereon, a cage around said shaft, a plurality of leversfulcrumed on said cage, each being provided with an eccentric surface,and con nected with said member for the latter to impart a swingingmotion to said levers, a drum on the part to be driven and a shoe oneach eccentric surface adapted to engage the inner surface of the rim ofsaid drum in either direction.

10. A power transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a membersecured thereon, a cage around said shaft, a plurality of leversfulcrumed on said cage and connected with said member for the latter toimart a swinging motion thereto, each of said evers having an eccentricsurface, a drum on the part to be driven, and a shoe on each of saideccentric surfaces and adapted to be engaged at the inner surface of therim of said drum in either direction of rotation.

11. In combination with the hub of a wheel to be driven, a friction drumcarried by said hub, a drive shaft on which said hub is freelyjournaled, a casing containing said shaft, a cage within said drum, apinion on said shaft, a plurality of levers fulcrumed on said cage andin mesh with said pinion, each lever being provided with an eccentricsurface, a shoe on each eccentric surface and adapted to be thrust bysaid levers into contact with said drum, means for withdrawing saidshoes out of contact with said drum when said levers are moved intoneutral posi tion, thrust bearings between said hub, casing and cage,and means for tending to retard the revolving movement of said cage, forthe purposes specified.

12. A power transmission mechanism comprising in combination with thepart to be driven provided with a friction surface, a driving part, asystem of levers carried by said driving part and provided with meansfor causing them to turn, friction shoes car ried upon said levers andadapted thereby to be thrust into contact with said friction surface andwithdrawn into neutral position, retarding means for holding said leversinoperative when the driven element rotates at a greater speed than thedriving element, and

mechanism for setting said retarding means, for the purposes specified.

13. A power transmission mechanism comprising in combination with thepart to be driven, a driving part, clutching means provided withfriction shoes to engage the part to be driven in either direction,means rotating with said driving part and connected with said clutchingmeans for controlling the latter, retarding mechanism in connection withsaid driving part, and means for setting said retarding mechanism, forthe purposes specified.

14. In combination with the hub of a wheel to be driven, a friction drumcarried by said hub, a drive shaft on which said hub is freelyjournaled, a casing containing said shaft, a cage within said drum, apinion on said shaft, a plurality of levers fulcrumed on said cage, inmesh with said pinion and provided with eccentric surfaces, shoescarried upon said eccentric surfaces and adapted to be moved intofrictional contact with said drum, thrust bearings between the hub andcasing and said cage, retarding mechanism co-acting with said cage, andmeans for throwing said retarding mechanism into and out ofconnection-with said cage, for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALLACE E. BELT.

Witnesses:

J. W. DAHLGREN, H. L. FISCHER.

